How to End a Historical Novel Based on a True Story: Expert Tips

How to End a Historical Novel Based on a True Story

When writing a historical novel based on a true story, it can be challenging to determine how to end it.

Unlike fictional stories, historical novels have a predetermined ending, and the author must find a way to bring their telling of it to a close while still keeping to the historical facts.

I don't have personal experience writing historical novels, but I do edit them quite regularly, so I think I can provide some insights on how to end one based on a true story.

The ending of a historical novel based on a true story will obviously vary. It could conclude with a reflection on the historical events, should offer closure for the characters, or it leave room for the reader's interpretation. Ultimately, it depends on the specific story and the author's creative choices.

But one of the most important things to consider when ending historical fiction is respecting the facts. While it may be tempting to take creative liberties—and readers can be quite forgiving of that—to do so in your ending is frowned upon.

Remember that the story is based on real events and people, so you probably want to research the historical events thoroughly and ensure the ending is accurate. If you're writing an alternate history, you don't need to listen to me here (though you still should be doing your research!).

Things to Consider When Choosing Where to End Your Historical Novel

Historical novels, in particular, are long-form works of fiction that immerse readers in a historical period or event; I mean, that's the whole point, right?

These novels often require extensive research to ensure the historical details are accurate and authentic.

One of the challenges of ending a historical novel based on a true story is balancing the historical record with the demands of fiction. History doesn't come neatly packaged into plot points and character arcs.

While remaining faithful to the actual events is important, the story must also be engaging and satisfying. This means that the ending may need to deviate from the historical record in some ways to provide a sense of closure or resolution.

But it shouldn't just make stuff up, either.

Because the type of historical fiction we are discussing is not just a story set in the past; it's a story shaped by real people. Not only that, these people are products of their context and time.

Edwin Booth (1833-1893), American actor, in costume as Hamlet. Photo by J. Guerney, ca. 1870

The characters' beliefs, values, and actions must be grounded in the historical reality of the period. So you have to aim your research into the social, political, and cultural norms of that time.

I mention this because by grounding your story in really vivid characters, you can make the ending amazing no matter how you have to write it. Your protagonist may not win the day in the end, or perhaps all their hard work leads to zero actual change in the events of the time, but at least they are worth the journey and disappointment.

(I mean disappointment of real events, don't let your story disappoint them because it's bad.)

But if the reader loves the character, you can make it work without the story being a letdown.

Deciding where to end your historical novel can be a daunting task. You want to ensure the ending is satisfying and leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing where to end your historical fiction:

Who You Are Writing About

As we already discussed a bit, consider the person or people you are writing about.

If you are writing about a famous historical figure, such as Abraham Lincoln, you may want to end your novel with his death. However, suppose you are writing about a lesser-known historical figure. In that case, you may want to end your book with a significant event in their life, such as a major accomplishment or a significant decision.

As I said, develop a strong emotional connection between the reader and the characters. The stronger that connection, the more forgiving of the plot they will be. You can jump ahead in their lives or present a story that ignores some key facts.

But only if the characters pop off the page.

Apaches. Before the storm- Four Apache on horseback on horseback under storm clouds. photo by Edward S. Curtis, 1906

When You Are Writing About

The time period you are writing about can also influence where you choose to end your novel. If you are writing about a specific event, such as the Civil War, you may want to end with the war's end or a significant battle.

If you are writing about a specific year, you may want to end your novel with an important event that occurred during that year. Something that feels like a victory, or a climax to everything leading up to it, even if only a little while after that (in real history), your characters suffer a terrible defeat.

Incorporating True Events

As your historical novel is based on a true story, you will most likely want to incorporate true events into your ending.

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This will give your conclusion a sense of authenticity and help tie up any loose ends in your plot. But you're still writing a novel and do have creative license to change events or timelines to better suit your story.

Though, I will say if the people you are writing about are still alive (or their immediate family is), try to stick as close to the facts as you can to avoid the possible backlash.

Overall, the key to choosing where to end your historical novel is to consider the person or people you are writing about, the period you are writing about, and the true events around them, so you can create an authentic and exciting finale.

Building a Compelling Storyline

You're a writer so you must already understand the importance of a well-crafted storyline. It can make or break a novel. Cohesive plot good, plot holes bad. Let's keep up, guys.

The challenge of creating solid, non-holey plots is even greater when it comes to historical novels based on true stories.

Here are some tips that can help you build a compelling storyline for your historical novel:

Setting the Tone

The tone of your novel is crucial to its success. It sets the mood and prepares the reader for what's to come. For historical fiction, you need to decide on the tone that best suits the story and the "feel" of the period you chose.

Will it be somber like a WW2 novel or light-hearted and humorous? Will it be suspenseful or romantic?

Once you've decided on the tone, it will be easier to build the storyline around it. Keep the style cohesive throughout, and by the time you get to the end, it will feel like a smooth ride into the resolution.

Influences and Inspirations

Every writer has their influences and inspirations.

You can draw inspiration from the actual events and people involved. You can also look to other historical novels for inspiration. Reading books from the same era or about similar circumstances can help you get a sense of the language, setting, and characters.

It will also help you churn out something creative because you will know what has been done before.

You may think you have something original, but until you read more, you'll never actually know if that is true (which it probably isn't).

Begin by Finding a Turning Point/Midpoint

When building a storyline for a historical novel, I recommend researching the events and finding the point where everything seems to take a turn for the worse. Choose something exciting and unexpected.

Turn this moment into your story's midpoint.

This is the moment when everything changes for the characters, and the story takes a new direction. Once you've found the turning point/midpoint, you can build the rest of the story around it.

What are the Most Exciting Moments in The Historical Events You Are Exploring

In historical events, there are usually moments that stand out as the most exciting or dramatic. It could be battles, a speech, or a discovery. Whatever they are, these moments will capture the reader's attention and keep them engaged.

When building your storyline, make sure to include these moments and build up to them for maximum impact.

Malloy's cut - Central Pacific railroad tracks at Malloy's cut in the Laramie Mountains. Sherman Station, Laramie Range. Albumen print, photo by Andrew J. Russell, 1868

If you have chosen your midpoint, you will want to look for exciting moments like these leading up to it and leading away. Brainstorm ways to turn these moments into plot points, specifically those on your protagonist's journey to completing their character arc.

What moments will best test your character and get them where they need to be physically, emotionally, psychologically, etc?

Beginning & Concluding the Novel

The beginning of a novel is just as important as the ending.

So when doing your research, find the key points in history that are relatively equidistant from your midpoint on either side. (If not equidistant, how will you tell the story so they are in the plot?)

For an opening, brainstorm a point in history that would be a good point to throw your protagonist into the mix? (Inciting Event)

For instance, in a war novel about Vietnam, maybe your inciting event is your character getting his draft letter.

We already discussed what you might want to look for in a concluding event, like a climax, but another trick is to mirror the beginning and ending in some way. For example, your character, who is drafted into the Vietnam War, is returning home and meets the postman as he enters his front gate.

I dunno. That was a lazy example, but this mirroring can give your story a sense of closure and finalization.

Another tip for choosing your ending is what is the best way to match your established tone.

Will your ending be a happy or a tragic one? Will it be open-ended, or will everything be resolved? Once you've decided on the mood of your end, you can work to connect that and your chosen midpoint and then back to the beginning.

Building a compelling storyline for a historical novel takes time and effort. By setting the tone, finding the turning point, including the most exciting moments, and tying everything back together, you can create a story that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

Final Words

When ending a historical novel based on a true story, there are a few key things to remember. As someone who has edited a ton of historical fiction myself, I've found that the following tips can help craft a satisfying conclusion:

• Consider the historical context: Your ending should reflect the period in which your story is set. Think about the events that occurred during that time and how your characters might have been affected by them. Emotion is everything! This can help you create an ending that feels authentic to the story you're telling.

• Tie up loose ends: Ensure you've resolved any major plot points or character arcs before ending your story. This can help give readers a sense of closure and prevent them from feeling like unanswered questions or threads are left to dangle. This can be hard because history doesn't tie up events in a neat bow. Just remember, the events don't need closure, but your characters do.

• Don't be afraid to be emotional: If your story has been building towards a particularly emotional moment, don't be afraid to lean into it in your ending. This can help create a powerful and memorable conclusion that will stick with readers long after they've finished your book.

• Consider your readers: Think about what your readers might be expecting from your ending. Do they want a happy ending, or are they prepared for a more bittersweet conclusion? Make sure your finale feels good to your target audience, and keep in mind that they may very well know the facts.

The key to ending a historical novel based on a true story is staying true to the historical context and characters you've been writing about while crafting a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion.

By following these tips, I hope you can create an ending readers can get behind. I'm not feeling particularly creative today, so I'm gonna stop writing, but you keep on writing.

Are There Rules for Writing Historical Fiction?

There are no hard and fast rules that must be followed when writing historical fiction. But there are certain guidelines that writers should keep in mind if they want to create a great historical fiction story. Read more about those guidelines here.

Next: Rules of Historical Fiction